Firearm scope mount

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a scope mount for a firearm that can be used for firing different types of ammunition without having to re-zero the scope when switching from one type of ammunition to another. The scope mount can include a base and a chassis pivotally mounted to the base. The chassis adjusts both elevation and windage alignments of the scope with respect to the base. Also disclosed is a method of operating a scope assembly mounted to a firearm, including the steps of setting a handle of the scope mount to a rested position corresponding to a first type of ammunition, zeroing the scope when the handle is in the rested position; moving the handle to an engaged position corresponding to a second type of ammunition different from the first type of ammunition; and zeroing the scope when the handle is in the engaged position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/643,485 filed Mar. 15, 2018, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Firearms can fire various types of ammunition. In some cases, it may be desirable to use subsonic ammunition which is designed to travel at speeds below the speed of sound to avoid the supersonic shockwave or “cracking” noise associated with supersonic ammunition. Because subsonic ammunition travels at lower speeds than supersonic ammunition, the trajectory of the projectiles are different and thus a shooter must aim the firearm in a different manner corresponding to the ammunition being used. To aim a firearm mounted with an optical sighting device (often referred to as a “scope”), the shooter must first “zero” the scope. Zeroing a scope is a process of aligning the line-of-sight established by the scope reticle that defines the point of impact with the axis of the firearm bore at some preselected distance—e.g., 200 yards.

Various factors can affect the trajectory of a projectile and its point of impact. One of these factors is referred to as “elevation” (also known as “bullet drop”), which is caused by the influence of gravity on the moving projectile, and is characterized by a trajectory that curves toward the earth over long ranges. To accurately hit a target, particularly at long range, a shooter must move the barrel of the firearm vertically to elevate or lower the barrel and the aiming point to adjust for this phenomenon. Another factor influencing projectile flight and point of impact is generally referred to as “windage,” which includes influences such as Magnus effect (i.e., a lateral thrust exerted by wind on a rotating bullet having an axis perpendicular to the wind direction). To accurately hit a target, a shooter must move the barrel of the firearm horizontally to the left or right in order to compensate for windage.

When using a scope, elevation adjustments are typically made by turning an adjustment mechanism to impart vertical movement of optical elements or the reticle, so that the aiming line of sight is accurately sighted-in at the range of the target. To adjust for windage, the scope may also have a separate adjustment mechanism that can be turned in order to impart horizontal movement to the optical elements or reticle.

If a shooter switches between supersonic and subsonic ammunition, a typical scope must be re-zeroed, taking into account the factors of elevation and windage, even when shooting at the same general target. Thus, improvements are needed to allow a shooter to efficiently switch back and forth, as needed, between supersonic and subsonic ammunition without having to re-zero the scope when aiming at the same general target.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to a scope mount for a firearm.

In one aspect, the disclosed technology relates to a firearm scope mount including: a base; a chassis pivotally mounted to the base and adapted to releasably attach a scope to the firearm scope mount; and a handle pivotally engaged with the chassis, the handle being rotatable in a first direction from a rested position to an engaged position, and being rotatable in a second direction from the engaged position to the rested position; wherein the chassis is pivotable with respect to the base in both an elevation direction and a windage direction when the handle is in the engaged position for adjusting an alignment of the scope in at least one of the elevation and windage directions. In one embodiment, the chassis returns to a neutral elevation position and a neutral windage position when the handle is rotated in the second direction from the engaged position to the rested position. In another embodiment, the chassis pivots in at least one of the elevation and windage directions when the handle is rotated in the first direction from the rested position to the engaged position. In another embodiment, the firearm scope mount further includes: a windage block receiving a mount elevation screw and a mount windage screw; and an elevation cam fixedly attached to the handle and adapted to engage an elevation post; wherein a rotation of the mount elevation screw is configured to pivot the chassis about an elevation pivot pin mounted to the base; and wherein a rotation of the mount windage screw is configured to pivot the chassis about a windage pivot pin indirectly mounted to the base.

In another embodiment, the firearm scope mount further includes a biasing mechanism held by the chassis, wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to return the chassis to a neutral windage position when the handle is rotated from the engaged position to the rested position. In another embodiment, the firearm scope mount further includes a compression spring housed inside the base, wherein the compression spring is configured to return the chassis to a neutral elevation position when the handle is rotated from the engaged position to the rested position. In another embodiment, the chassis includes a receiving tray and an interface plate releasably attached to the receiving tray. In another embodiment, the firearm scope mount further includes a clamp for releasably attaching the firearm scope mount to a firearm. In another aspect, the disclosed technology relates to a firearm including a disclosed firearm scope mount. In one embodiment, the firearm includes 300 BLK ammunition. In another aspect, the disclosed technology relates to a scope assembly including the firearm scope mount of claim 1 and a scope.

In another aspect, the disclosed technology relates to a method of operating a scope assembly mounted to a firearm, the scope assembly including a scope attached to a scope mount, the scope mount having a handle rotatable between a rested position and an engaged position, the method including the steps of. (a) setting the handle of the scope mount to a rested position corresponding to a first type of ammunition; (b) zeroing the scope when the handle is in the rested position; (c) moving the handle from the rested position to an engaged position corresponding to a second type of ammunition different from the first type of ammunition; and (d) zeroing the scope when the handle is in the engaged position. In one embodiment, the first type of ammunition is supersonic ammunition and the second type of ammunition is subsonic ammunition. In another embodiment, step (b) includes adjusting the alignment of the scope in at least one of an elevation direction and a windage direction by turning a corresponding scope elevation adjustment screw and/or a scope windage adjustment screw. In another embodiment, step (c) includes rotating the handle about 120° to about 180° from the rested position to the engaged position. In another embodiment, step (d) includes adjusting the alignment of the scope in at least one of an elevation direction and a windage direction by turning a corresponding mount elevation adjustment screw and/or mount windage adjustment screw.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects can relate to individual features and to combination of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description.

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an example scope assembly.

FIG. 2 illustrates another isometric view of an example scope assembly.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example scope.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top isometric view of an example scope mount without a scope attached thereto.

FIG. 5 illustrates another top isometric view of an example scope mount.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom isometric view of an example scope mount.

FIG. 7 illustrates another bottom isometric view of an example scope mount.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example scope mount.

FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of an example pivot body.

FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom view of an example chassis.

FIG. 11 illustrates an isometric view of an example biasing mechanism.

FIG. 12 illustrates an isometric view of an example elevation cam.

FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of an example elevation cam.

FIG. 14 illustrates an isometric view of an example elevation post.

FIG. 15 illustrates a bottom view of an example elevation post.

FIG. 16 illustrates a rear isometric view of an example scope mount.

FIG. 17 illustrates a top view of an example scope mount.

FIG. 18 illustrates an isometric view of an example windage block.

FIG. 19 illustrates an isometric view of an example mount windage screw.

FIG. 20 illustrates an isometric view of an example handle assembly.

FIG. 21 illustrates a method of operating a scope assembly mounted to a firearm.

FIG. 22 illustrates an isometric view of an example chassis.

FIG. 23A illustrates an isometric view of an interface plate of an example modular chassis.

FIG. 23B illustrates an isometric view of a receiving tray of an example modular chassis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a scope assembly 100 that includes a scope 102 releasably coupled to a scope mount 104. As used herein, the term “scope” refers to any type of optical sighting device or magnified optic suitable for use with a firearm—e.g., an Aimpoint® T2 optical sight, an Aimpoint® CompM5 optical sight, and various other models and styles of optical sights, including but not limited to long range scopes, tactical scopes, riflescopes, etc.

The scope assembly 100 may be mounted to a firearm (not shown) capable of shooting subsonic and/or supersonic ammunition, such as 300 BLK ammunition, which uses a 7.62×35 mm carbine cartridge for use in the M4 carbine.

The scope 102 may include one or more objective lenses (not shown) protected by a front lens cover 106, shown in FIG. 1 as a flip-up lens cover. The objective lenses collect light and bring an image of an object into focus. The scope 102 may also include an eyepiece (not shown) protected by a rear lens cover 108, shown in FIG. 1 as a flip-up lens cover. The eyepiece magnifies the image from the one or more objective lenses. The eyepiece is positioned close to the shooter's eye as the shooter looks through the scope 102. When in use, the front and rear lens covers 106, 108 are open so that the shooter can view a target through the eyepiece and objective lenses of the scope 102.

A reticle with an aiming point (e.g., a crosshair) can be viewed by a shooter through the eyepiece of the scope. The reticle and aiming point help the shooter to aim the firearm at a target. In some instances, the scope may need to be zeroed before the shooter fires the firearm. As used herein, the terms “zeroing,” “zeroing in” and “sighting” synonymously refer to an adjustment of the alignment of the scope so that a projectile fired from the firearm should hit the intended target. As used herein, “elevation” refers to an up-down adjustment for changing a vertical alignment of the scope. As used herein, “windage” refers to a side-to-side adjustment for changing a horizontal alignment of the scope. The alignment of the scope may include elevation and/or windage adjustments.

Zeroing is often necessary because the distance to a target and/or the type of ammunition being used (e.g., supersonic or subsonic ammunition) affects the path of a projectile fired from the firearm. For example, a shooter may observe a target through the eyepiece that is within the center of the aiming point before the firearm is fired. But if the scope is not zeroed, the fired projectile may hit an area away from the intended target. This disparity may be caused by various factors, as discussed above, such as forces due to gravity, drag, and wind that act on the projectile as it travels through the air. Thus, the alignment of the scope should be zeroed so that the aiming point more accurately matches the desired point of impact.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the scope 102 includes an elevation adjustment screw 110 that can be turned in first and second (e.g., clockwise and counterclockwise) directions to adjust the vertical alignment of the scope. The scope 102 may also include a windage adjustment screw 112 that can be turned in first and second (e.g., clockwise and counterclockwise) directions to adjust the horizontal alignment of the scope.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view as viewed from the rear of an example scope having elevation and windage adjustment screws 110, 112, respectively, that press against an erector tube 118. The erector tube 118 is positioned within a main tube 120. The erector tube 118 includes one or more objective lenses of the scope. An adjustment spring 122 applies a compression force against the erector tube 118 in a direction toward the bottoms of the elevation and windage adjustment screws 110, 112. The elevation and windage adjustment screws 110, 112 sit at approximately the 12 o'clock and the 3 o'clock positions, respectively, whereas the adjustment spring 122 sits at approximately the 7:30 o'clock position between the erector tube 118 and the main tube 120.

The elevation and windage adjustment screws 110, 112 can be turned individually for adjusting the alignment of the erector tube 118 in the elevation and windage directions. For example, the elevation adjustment screw 110 can be turned in the clockwise (or counterclockwise) direction to lower the elevation of the erector tube 118, and can turn the elevation adjustment screw 110 in the opposite direction to raise the elevation of the erector tube 118. In other words, turning the elevation adjustment screw 110 in the clockwise direction may cause the bottom of the elevation adjustment screw 110 to push the erector tube 118 downwards, causing the adjustment spring 122 to compress. And turning the elevation adjustment screw 110 in the counterclockwise direction may allow a compression force from the adjustment spring 122 to push the erector tube 118 upwards against the bottom of the elevation adjustment screw 110.

Similarly, the windage adjustment screw 112 can be turned in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction to adjust the windage of the erector tube 118. For example, turning the windage adjustment screw 112 in the clockwise direction may cause the bottom of the windage adjustment screw 112 to push the erector tube 118 towards the left, compressing the adjustment spring 122. And turning the windage adjustment screw 112 in the counterclockwise direction may allow a compression force from the adjustment spring 122 to push the erector tube 118 to the right against the bottom of the windage adjustment screw 112.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show top isometric views of a scope mount 104 without a scope attached thereto in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. The scope mount 104 includes a chassis 132 pivotally attached to a base 136. The chassis 132 may include one or more fasteners 134 for attaching various types of scopes to the scope mount 104. In some examples, the fasteners 134 are screws, bolts, or other types of attachment devices.

A scope may be releasably coupled or attached to the scope mount 104 via the chassis 132. Accordingly, the scope mount 104 is not limited for use with any particular type of scope.

As depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, the scope mount 104 is defined by a front 32, a back 34, a top 36, and a bottom 38. Throughout this disclosure, references to orientation (e.g., front(ward), rear(ward), in front, behind, above, below, high, low, back, top, bottom, under, underside, etc.) of structural components shall be defined by that component's positioning in the figures relative to, as applicable, the front 32, the back 34, the top 36, and the bottom 38 of the scope mount 104, regardless of how the scope mount 104, or an attached firearm, may be held and regardless of how that component may be situated on its own (i.e., separated from the scope mount 104).

The scope mount 104 includes a handle 142 that can be rotated by a user in a first direction from a rested position to an engaged position. The handle can have a variety of shapes or forms—e.g., knob, lever, etc. Similarly, the handle 142 can be rotated by a user in a reverse second direction, from the engaged position to the rested position. As used herein, the first and second directions of the handle rotation refer interchangeably to clockwise and counterclockwise directions. In the example depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, the handle 142 is shown in the engaged position.

The chassis 132 is pivotable about an elevation pivot pin 138. As shown in the example of FIGS. 4 and 5, the chassis 132 rotates about an elevation axis E with respect to the base 136. A mount elevation screw 146 can be turned in the first and second directions to adjust the elevation alignment of the chassis 132 with respect to the base 136 when the handle 142 is in the engaged position. Throughout this disclosure, reference to the elevation direction or elevation alignment of one or more structural components described herein is defined by that component's rotation about the elevation axis E, regardless of how the scope mount 104, or an attached firearm, may be held and regardless of how that component may be situated on its own.

The chassis 132 is also pivotable about a windage pivot pin 140. As shown in the example of FIGS. 4 and 5, the chassis 132 rotates about a windage axis W with respect to the base 136. A mount windage screw 148 can be turned in the first and second directions to adjust the windage alignment of the chassis 132 with respect to the base 136 when the handle 142 is in the engaged position. Throughout this disclosure, reference to the windage direction or windage alignment of one or more structural components described herein is defined by that component's rotation about the windage axis W, regardless of how the scope mount 104, or an attached firearm, may be held and regardless of how that component may be situated on its own.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show bottom isometric views of a scope mount 104 in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. The scope mount 104 may include an opening 154 that has opposing indented surfaces 156, 158 adapted to fit around a firearm rail such as a Picatinny or other similar type rail. In at least some examples, the scope mount 104 may further include a clamp 160 that can be tightened and loosened around a firearm rail by turning a clamp screw 162 in first and second directions. For example, a user can attach the scope mount 104 to a firearm using a clamp 160 by fitting the opposing indented surfaces 156, 158 around a firearm rail and turning the clamp screw 162 in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) to tighten the clamp 160 to the rail. A user can detach the scope mount 104 from the rail by turning the clamp screw 162 in the reverse second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) to release the clamp 160 from the rail.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional side view of the scope mount 104 when the handle 142 (not shown) is in the engaged position. A pivot body 170 is mounted inside the scope mount 104 between the base 136 and the chassis 132. The pivot body 170 includes a top engagement surface 194 that contacts an opposing bottom surface of the chassis 132. The pivot body 170 is pivotable about the elevation pivot pin 138 in the elevation direction for adjusting the elevation alignment of the chassis 132 with respect to the base 136. The pivot body 170 is pivotable about the windage pivot pin 140 in the windage direction for adjusting the windage alignment of the chassis 132. The elevation pivot pin 138 directly couples the pivot body 170 to the base 136. The windage pivot pin 140 directly couples the chassis 132 to the pivot body 170, thus indirectly coupling the chassis 132 to the base 136.

FIG. 9 shows a top isometric view of a pivot body 170 in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. The pivot body 170 includes an elevation bore 188 for receiving the elevation pivot pin 138, and a windage bore 190 for receiving the windage pivot pin 140. In some examples, the elevation bore 188 has a diameter that it is marginally larger than a diameter of the elevation pivot pin 138. The marginally larger diameter of the elevation bore 188 is sufficiently sized so that the pivot body 170 may rotate in the windage direction. Similarly, the windage bore 190 may have a diameter that it is marginally larger than a diameter of the windage pivot pin 140. The marginally larger diameter of the windage bore 190 is sufficiently sized so that so that the pivot body 170 may rotate in the elevation direction. The pivot body 170 may include a slot 180 for holding a biasing mechanism 182 (shown in FIG. 11). In some examples, the biasing mechanism 182 is a spring, such as a leaf spring, or other component that provides a biasing force. In some examples, the pivot body 170 includes an aperture 192 extending through the slot 180 for receiving a fastener that attaches the biasing mechanism to the pivot body. In some examples, the pivot body may include a seat 204 for receiving a compression spring.

For example, FIG. 8 shows a compression spring 172 housed inside a bore 174 of the base 136. The compression spring 172 applies a compression force against the pivot body 170 that causes the pivot body 170 to pivot about the elevation pivot pin 138 until a stop surface 176 of the chassis 132 abuts an opposing surface 178 of the base 136. In the example depicted in FIG. 8, the opposing surface 178 is a bottom surface of a notch in the base 136. The opposing surface 178 stops the pivoting movement of the pivot body 170 and the chassis 132 with respect to the base 136. Accordingly, the compression spring 172 biases the chassis 132 into a neutral elevation position. Throughout this disclosure, the neutral elevation position is defined as a position where the chassis 132 is parallel to the base 136 with respect to a horizontal plane.

FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of a chassis 132 in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. The chassis 132 includes a trough 184 for holding the biasing mechanism 182 (shown in FIG. 11). The chassis 132 may also include various apertures 202 for receiving fasteners 134 (e.g., screws, bolts, or other attachment devices) for attaching a scope to the chassis 132. The chassis 132 may further include a windage pivot pin bore 191 and a windage block opening 200. In some examples, the windage pivot pin bore 191 has a diameter that it is larger than a diameter of the windage pivot pin 140. The larger diameter of the windage pivot pin bore 191 is sufficiently sized so that so that the chassis 132 may receive the windage pivot pin 140. Similarly, the windage block opening 200 may have a width that it is larger than a width of the windage block 230. The larger width of the windage block opening 200 is sufficiently sized so that so that the windage block 230 may translate along the mount windage screw 148 for adjusting the windage alignment of the chassis 132. In one embodiment, the longitudinal dimension of the windage block opening 200 (i.e., in the front to back direction of the scope mount) provides clearance for the windage block 230 to translate unobstructed, and the lateral dimension of the windage block opening 200 (i.e., in the left to right direction of the scope mount) provides a gap that is sufficiently sized for the windage block 230 to translate over at least 2 (e.g., 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, or more) clockwise or counterclockwise rotations of the mount windage screw 148. In this aspect, each rotation (clockwise or counterclockwise) of the mount windage screw 148 would translate the windage block 230 an incremental amount within the gap provided in the windage block opening 200 so as to adjust the windage alignment of the chassis 132. In the depicted example, the chassis 132 has a substantially rectangular shape. In other examples, the chassis 132 may have alternative shapes to accommodate different types of scopes.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of an example of the biasing mechanism 182. In the depicted example, the biasing mechanism 182 has a substantially rectangular shape that includes at least a first end 206 and a second end 208. The biasing mechanism 182 may be made from a material that allows it to have a straight or linear shape when in a rested state (i.e., when no force is applied) and to return to the same or similar straight or linear shape after one or more forces are applied and then removed. In some examples, the biasing mechanism 182 is made from a heat treated steel. The biasing mechanism 182 may also include an aperture 210 for receiving a fastener for fixedly attaching the biasing mechanism 182 to the pivot body 170.

Referring back to FIG. 8, the first end 206 of the biasing mechanism 182 is held in the slot 180 of the pivot body 170, and the second end 208 of the biasing mechanism 182 is held in the trough 184 of the chassis 132. When the biasing mechanism 182 is made from a material that causes it to have a straight or linear shape, the biasing mechanism 182 biases the chassis 132 into a neutral windage position. Throughout this disclosure, the neutral windage position is defined as a position where the chassis 132 is horizontally aligned with the base 136 along a vertical plane.

Also as shown in FIG. 8, the scope mount 104 may further include an elevation cam 198. The elevation cam 198 is fixedly attached to a rotatable shaft 196 of the handle 142 such that the elevation cam 198 rotates about an axis parallel to the elevation axis E when the handle 142 is rotated in the first and second directions. The elevation cam 198 rotates relative to an arcuate surface 222 of an elevation post 220 when the handle 142 is rotated in the first and second directions.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a top isometric view and a top view, respectively, of an elevation cam 198 in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. The elevation cam 198 includes an elevation surface 212, which can be a bulge or bump on the exterior surface of the elevation cam 198 that gradually increases in thickness such that the outside radius of the elevation cam 198 is greatest at the engagement point 214. The elevation cam 198 further includes wedges 216 located on opposing sides of the elevation surface 212. Each wedge 216 includes an engagement surface 218 and a windage surface 219. The engagement surfaces 218 and the windage surfaces 219 are substantially perpendicular to the elevation surface 212. The opposing engagement surfaces 218 are substantially parallel to one another, whereas the windage surfaces 219 extend in opposite directions. Between the opposing engagement surfaces 218, the distance between the wedges 216 defines an engagement width W1.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show isometric and bottom views, respectively, of an elevation post 220 in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. The elevation post 220 includes the arcuate surface 222 defined by side surfaces 224, 226. The arcuate surface 222 has a width W2 that corresponds to the engagement width W1 of the elevation cam 198 such that the arcuate surface 222 having a width W2 releasably and snugly fits within engagement width W1 when these components are engaged. The elevation post 220 may further include an elongated aperture 228.

Referring back to FIG. 8, as described above, the handle 142 of the scope mount 104 can be rotated by a user in the first direction from the rested position to the engaged position, and in the second direction from the engaged position to the rested position. The elevation cam 198 is fixedly attached to the pivotable shaft 196 of the handle 142, and thus the elevation cam 198 can likewise rotate between the rested and engaged positions when the handle 142 of the scope mount 104 is rotated in the first and second directions.

When the handle 142 is in the rested position, the exterior surface of the elevation cam 198 does not engage the arcuate surface 222 of the elevation post 220. In contrast, when the handle 142 is in the engaged position, the exterior surface of the elevation cam 198 engages the arcuate surface 222 of the elevation post 220, primarily due to the elevation surface 212.

When the handle 142 is in the rested position, the side surfaces 224, 226 of the elevation post 220 are not engaged by the engagement surfaces 218 of the elevation cam 198. In contrast, when the handle 142 is in the engaged position, the side surfaces 224, 226 are engaged by the engagement surfaces 218 of the elevation cam 198 such that the elevation post 220 is sandwiched between the opposing engagement surfaces 218 of the elevation cam 198.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show rear isometric and top views, respectively, of a scope mount 104 in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. The scope mount 104 includes a windage block 230 placed in the windage block opening 200 (shown in FIG. 10). A windage slide bar 240 extends through the windage block 230 and through the elongated aperture 228 of the elevation post 220 (shown in FIG. 8). The windage slide bar 240 may be fixed to opposite sides of the chassis 132.

In some examples, the windage block 230 may include a windage marker 236, and the chassis 132 may include a corresponding marker 238. When the chassis 132 is in the neutral windage position, the windage marker 236 aligns with the corresponding marker 238. Thus, the windage marker 236 may indicate the windage alignment of the chassis 132.

FIG. 18 shows a front isometric view of a windage block 230 in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. The windage block 230 includes a first threaded aperture 232 for receiving the mount elevation screw 146, a second threaded aperture 234 for receiving the mount windage screw 148, and a bore 242 for slidably receiving the windage slide bar 240. The windage block 230 further includes an opening 244 that at least partially houses the elevation post 220. In at least some examples, the mount windage screw 148 is retained in the windage block 230 by a side mount external retaining ring 150 (shown in FIG. 5).

FIG. 19 shows an isometric view of a mount windage screw 148 in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. The mount windage screw 148 includes external threads 248 that correspond to the internal threads 246 (shown in FIG. 18) of the windage block 230. The mount windage screw 148 may also include a concavity ring 247 at one end of the screw for holding in place the side mount external retaining ring 150 (shown in FIG. 5).

FIG. 20 shows an isometric view of a handle assembly 250 in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. The handle 142 is fixedly attached to the rotatable shaft 196 by a pin 262. The rotatable shaft 196 includes a grove 252 that terminates at one end in a first detent 254 and terminates at an opposite end in a second detent 256. The first detent 254 may receive a spring-loaded plunger 258 when the handle 142 is rotated into the rested position, which keeps the handle 142 in the rested position. The second detent 256 receives the spring-loaded plunger 258 when the handle 142 is rotated into the engaged position for keeping the handle 142 in the engaged position. The rotatable shaft 196 also includes a ridge 264 and a coiled spring pin 266 for fixedly attaching the elevation cam 198 to the rotatable shaft 196.

In at least some examples, the handle 142 can be moved between the rested and engaged positions by a rotation of about 120° to about 180° (clockwise or counterclockwise). In some examples, the rotation of the handle 142 between the rested and engaged positions is less than 120° —e.g., about 30°, about 45°, about 60°, about 75°, about 90°, or about 105°. In other examples, the rotation of the handle 142 between the rested and engaged positions is greater than 180°. As used herein, the term “about” in reference to a numerical value means plus or minus 10% of the numerical value of the number with which it is being used.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the handle is in the engaged position such that the elevation surface 212 of the elevation cam 198 engages the arcuate surface 222 of the elevation post 220, and the mount elevation screw 146 is turned in the first direction, the bottom of the mount elevation screw 146 will engage a top surface of the elevation post 220. As the mount elevation screw 146 is turned, the windage block 230 rises in the elevation direction with respect to the elevation post 220 such that the elevation post 220 begins to move out of the opening 244 of the windage block 230. As the windage block 230 rises, the chassis 132 also rises due to the windage slide bar 240 that mounts the chassis to the windage block 230. As the chassis 132 rises, the chassis pivots about the elevation pivot pin 138, causing the stop surface 176 of the chassis 132 to separate away from the opposing surface 178 of the base 136. In this manner, turning the mount elevation screw 146 adjusts the elevation alignment of the chassis 132.

A user can turn the mount elevation screw 146 in the second direction such that the windage block 230 moves toward the elevation post 220 in the elevation direction and the elevation post 220 moves back into the opening 244 of the windage block 230. As the windage block 230 is lowered, the chassis 132 is also lowered due to the windage slide bar 240. The user can continue to the turn the mount elevation screw 146 in the second direction until the stop surface 176 of the chassis 132 abuts the opposing surface 178 of the base 136. In this manner, the elevation alignment of the chassis 132 can be returned to the neutral elevation position.

As shown in FIGS. 12-17, when the handle is in the engaged position such that the side surfaces 224, 226 of the elevation post 220 are sandwiched between the engagement surfaces 218 of the elevation cam 198, the windage block 230 is held in a fixed position relative to the base 136. When the mount windage screw 148 is turned in the first direction, the windage block 230 remains in the fixed position and the chassis 132 is displaced in a first windage direction toward the windage block 230. This causes the chassis 132 to pivot about the windage pivot pin 140 in the first windage direction. When the mount windage screw 148 is turned in the second direction, the windage block 230 remains in the fixed position and the chassis 132 is displaced in a second windage direction away from the windage block 230. This causes the chassis 132 to pivot about the windage pivot pin 140 in the second windage direction. In this manner, the windage alignment of the chassis 132 can be adjusted with respect to the base 136.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 12-16, when the handle 142 is rotated in the second direction, the elevation cam 198 rotates relative to the elevation post 220 such that the opposing engagement surfaces 218 of the cam 198 disengage the side surfaces 224, 226 of the elevation post 220. In some examples, at least one of the opposing windage surfaces 219 becomes at least partially engaged with one of the side surfaces 224, 226 of the elevation post 220 when the elevation cam 198 rotates relative to the elevation post 220. For example, when the mount windage screw 148 (as shown in FIG. 16) is adjusted in the first direction when the handle is in the engaged position, rotating the elevation cam 198 will cause a windage surface 219 of the elevation cam 198 to become at least partially engaged with the side surface 226 of the elevation post 220. Similarly, when the mount windage screw 148 is adjusted in the second direction when the handle is in the engaged position, rotating the elevation cam 198 will causes a windage surface 219 of the elevation cam 198 to become at least partially engaged with the other side surface 224 of the elevation post 220. If no adjustment is made to the mount windage screw 148 when the handle is in the engaged position, the side surfaces 224, 226 of the elevation post 220 will not engage the windage surfaces 219 of the elevation cam 198 when the handle is turned toward the rested position, which rotates the elevation cam 198 relative to the elevation post 220.

When the elevation surface 212 of the elevation cam 198 disengages the arcuate surface 222 of the elevation post 220, the compression spring 172 forces the chassis 132 to return to the neutral elevation position. When the opposing engagement surfaces 218 of the elevation cam 198 disengage the side surfaces 224, 226 of the elevation post 220, the biasing mechanism 182 forces the chassis 132 to return to the neutral windage position. Thus, when the user rotates the handle 142 in the second direction for moving the handle 142 from the engaged position to the rested position, the chassis 132 of the scope mount returns to the neutral elevation and windage positions.

When the user rotates the handle 142 in the first direction to move from the rested position to the engaged position, the elevation cam 198 again engages the elevation post 220 via the elevation surface 212 and the engagement surfaces 218 such that the chassis 132 pivots in both the elevation and windage directions according to the adjustments previously made to the mount elevation screw 146 and the scope mount windage screw 148, respectively. Thus, the scope mount 104 can be moved back and forth between neutral elevation and windage positions when the handle is in the rested position, and adjusted elevation and windage positions when the handle is in the engaged position.

In some examples, the rested position corresponds to a supersonic operating mode and the engaged position corresponds to a subsonic operating mode, or vice versa. In such examples, the scope assembly 100 (shown in FIG. 1) can be used for aiming a firearm at a target using supersonic or subsonic ammunition, as desired. The scope mount 104 enhances the shooting experience of the user because the user does not have to re-zero the scope 102 each time the firing ammunition is changed between supersonic and subsonic ammunition. Instead, the user can simply and easily rotate the handle 142 of the scope mount 104 between the rested and engaged positions in order to continue firing supersonic and subsonic ammunition, as desired, at the target. This provides a significant advantage that is not achievable with other scope mounts.

FIG. 21 illustrates a method 500 of operating a scope assembly mounted to a firearm in accordance with certain examples of the present disclosure. The method 500 may include a step 502 of attaching a scope to a scope mount. In some examples, the scope is attached to a chassis of the scope mount wherein the chassis is pivotable in both an elevation direction and a windage direction with respect to a base of the scope mount. In one embodiment, the steps of the disclosed method are performed sequentially as shown in FIG. 21.

The method 500 may also include a step 504 of attaching the scope mount to a firearm. Step 504 may be performed either before or after step 502. In some examples, the scope mount is attached to a firearm by tightening a clamp around a rail of the firearm. In some examples, the clamp is tightened around the rail by turning a clamp screw.

The method 500 may also include a step 506 of rotating a handle of the scope mount to a rested position.

The method 500 may also include a step 508 of zeroing the scope when the handle is in a rested position. In some examples, the scope is zeroed by adjusting an elevation adjustment screw and/or a windage adjustment screw located on the scope. In some examples, adjusting the elevation and/or windage adjustment screws alters an alignment of an erector tube of the scope in an elevation and/or windage direction, respectively.

The method 500 may also include a step 510 of rotating the handle of the scope mount from the rested position to an engaged position. In some examples, the handle is rotated in a first direction from the rested to the engaged positions by a rotation of about 120° to about 180°. The method 500 may also include a step 512 of zeroing the scope when the handle is in the engaged position. In this step, the scope is zeroed by adjusting an alignment of the chassis of the scope mount with respect to the base of the scope mount in an elevation direction and/or a windage direction. In some examples, the alignment of the chassis with respect to the base is adjusted in the elevation direction by turning a mount elevation screw in a first or second direction, and is adjusted in the windage direction by turning a mount windage screw in a first or second direction.

By this method, a firearm can be readied for firing both a first type of ammunition and a second type of ammunition without having to re-zero the scope when switching between the two types of ammunition. In some examples, the firearm can be readied to accurately fire supersonic ammunition, such as supersonic 300 BLK, when the handle is in the rested position and can be readied to accurately fire subsonic ammunition, such as subsonic 300 BLK, when the handle is in the engaged position, or vice versa.

FIG. 22 shows a top isometric view of the chassis 132.

In an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the firearm scope mount may include a modular chassis having an interface plate 304 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 23A) and a receiving tray 306 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 23B). FIG. 23A shows a top isometric view of the interface plate 304. FIG. 23B shows a top isometric view of the receiving tray 306.

The interface plate 304 may be releasably attached to the receiving tray 306, for example, by inserting hooked tabs 308 extending from the bottom surface of the interface plate 304 into corresponding openings (e.g., curved openings) 310 in the top surface of the receiving tray 306. Alternative shapes of the tabs and corresponding openings may be used as well. In one embodiment, a curved lip 312 on the front of the interface plate 304 is configured to capture and secure a front edge 314 of the receiving tray 306.

To attach the interface plate 304 to the receiving tray 306 thus forming a modular chassis, the hooked tabs 308 may be aligned above the openings 310, and the interface plate 304 may then be lowered atop the receiving tray 306 and slid rearward, locking the curved lip 312 against the front edge 314. To secure the interface plate 304 to the receiving tray 306, a blocking member may be used to block the interface plate 304 from sliding forward to a released position.

Interface plate 304 may be connected directly to a scope 102 via fasteners 134 passing through fastener openings 316; and the receiving tray 306 may be connected directly to the pivot body 170 via the windage pivot pin 140 passing through a windage pivot pin bore 318. In one embodiment, the fasteners 134 have heads extending beyond the lower surface of the interface plate 304 (e.g., not flat head countersunk screw heads). In this aspect, the top surface of the receiving tray 306 may include recesses 320 (e.g., rounded or oval shaped recesses) to both receive the screw heads of the fasteners 134 and allow the screw heads to translate unobstructed when the interface plate 304 is slid into and out of the connected orientation.

The modular chassis provides significant versatility because the interchangeability of the interface plate 304 to the receiving tray 306 allows for customization of the scope mount 104 to a variety of scope types. The height of the interface plate 304 may also be customized to compensate for different optic axis height requirements. For example, the optic axis height of an optical dot scope may be different from the optical axis height of a night vision scope, in which case a first interface plate 304 having a first height may be fixed on an optical dot scope, and a second interface plate 304 having a different height may be fixed on a night vision scope. Accordingly, a variety of desired scopes may thus be easily attached and detached from the modular chassis by the user.

The front portion 322 of the interface plate 304 may cover the windage pivot pin bore 318 on the receiving tray 306. In comparison, the windage pivot pin 140 may be placed within the exposed windage pivot pin bore 191 of the one-piece chassis 132, whereas the windage pivot pin may be placed within the covered windage pivot pin bore 318 of the modular chassis.

The rear portion 324 of the interface plate 304 may substantially cover a windage block opening 326 on the receiving tray 306. In comparison, the windage block 230 may be placed within the exposed windage block opening 200 of the one-piece chassis 132, whereas the windage block may be placed within the substantially covered windage block opening 326 of the modular chassis. An opening 328 in the rear portion 324 exposes a small surface of the covered windage block, as described in more detail below.

The interface plate 304 may include a mount elevation screw opening 328 to provide a clearance for a mount elevation screw 146. In comparison, the mount elevation screw 146 may be placed within the exposed threaded opening of the one-piece chassis 132, whereas the mount elevation screw 146 may be threaded into the covered windage block and any portion of the mount elevation screw 146 remaining above the windage block may be received within the mount elevation screw opening 328 of the modular chassis.

The mount elevation screw opening 328 may have an oval, rounded or other suitable shape and may have a width that it is larger than a width of the mount elevation screw 146. The larger width of the mount elevation screw opening 328 may be sufficiently sized so that the windage block may translate along the mount windage screw 148 for adjusting the windage alignment of the modular chassis. In one embodiment, the longitudinal dimension of the mount elevation screw opening 328 (i.e., in the front to back direction of the scope mount) provides clearance for the mount elevation screw 146 to translate unobstructed, and the lateral dimension of the mount elevation screw opening 328 (i.e., in the left to right direction of the scope mount) provides a gap that is sufficiently sized for the windage block to translate over at least 2 (e.g., 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, or more) clockwise or counterclockwise rotations of the mount windage screw 148. In this aspect, each rotation (clockwise or counterclockwise) of the mount windage screw 148 would translate the mount elevation screw 146 an incremental amount within the gap provided in the mount elevation screw opening 328.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and application illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A firearm scope mount comprising: a base; a chassis pivotally mounted to the base and adapted to releasably attach a scope to the firearm scope mount; and a handle pivotally engaged with the chassis, the handle being rotatable in a first direction from a rested position to an engaged position, and being rotatable in a second direction from the engaged position to the rested position; wherein the chassis is pivotable with respect to the base in both an elevation direction and a windage direction when the handle is in the engaged position for adjusting an alignment of the scope in at least one of the elevation and windage directions.
 2. The firearm scope mount of claim 1, wherein the chassis returns to a neutral elevation position and a neutral windage position when the handle is rotated in the second direction from the engaged position to the rested position.
 3. The firearm scope mount of claim 2, wherein the chassis pivots in at least one of the elevation and windage directions when the handle is rotated in the first direction from the rested position to the engaged position.
 4. The firearm scope mount of claim 1, further comprising: a windage block receiving a mount elevation screw and a mount windage screw; and an elevation cam fixedly attached to the handle and adapted to engage an elevation post; wherein a rotation of the mount elevation screw is configured to pivot the chassis about an elevation pivot pin mounted to the base; and wherein a rotation of the mount windage screw is configured to pivot the chassis about a windage pivot pin indirectly mounted to the base.
 5. The firearm scope mount of claim 1, further comprising a biasing mechanism held by the chassis, wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to return the chassis to a neutral windage position when the handle is rotated from the engaged position to the rested position.
 6. The firearm scope mount of claim 1, further comprising a compression spring housed inside the base, wherein the compression spring is configured to return the chassis to a neutral elevation position when the handle is rotated from the engaged position to the rested position.
 7. The firearm scope mount of claim 1, wherein the chassis comprises a receiving tray and an interface plate releasably attached to the receiving tray.
 8. The firearm scope mount of claim 1, further comprising a clamp for releasably attaching the firearm scope mount to a firearm.
 9. A firearm comprising the firearm scope mount of claim
 1. 10. The firearm of claim 9, further comprising 300 BLK ammunition.
 11. A scope assembly comprising the firearm scope mount of claim 1 and a scope.
 12. A method of operating a scope assembly mounted to a firearm, the scope assembly comprising a scope attached to a scope mount, the scope mount having a handle rotatable between a rested position and an engaged position, the method comprising: (a) setting the handle of the scope mount to a rested position corresponding to a first type of ammunition; (b) zeroing the scope when the handle is in the rested position; (c) moving the handle from the rested position to an engaged position corresponding to a second type of ammunition different from the first type of ammunition; and (d) zeroing the scope when the handle is in the engaged position.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first type of ammunition is supersonic ammunition and the second type of ammunition is subsonic ammunition.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein step (b) comprises adjusting the alignment of the scope in at least one of an elevation direction and a windage direction by turning a corresponding scope elevation adjustment screw and/or a scope windage adjustment screw.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein step (c) comprises rotating the handle about 120° to about 180° from the rested position to the engaged position.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein step (d) comprises adjusting the alignment of the scope in at least one of an elevation direction and a windage direction by turning a corresponding mount elevation adjustment screw and/or mount windage adjustment screw. 